Camp Puffin January 20th, 1862 Lewisville Va Friend Eliz I received your letter sometime ago but through neglect I did not answer it but I will not be so negligent again I though [sic] by puting [sic] it of [sic] for a few day something might occur that would be interes- -ting but as yet there is prospect of stirring news before long reports have reach our camp that Leut Wool is bombarding Yorktown but I do not credit it I was in Washington Saturday and all was excitement the Bagage [sic] Trains and military arrangements are completed all they want now is good roads and good weather and there will be some fun thy general opinion here is that this war is about to a crises we will all be home in one month in a pig’s eye and then who wouldnt [sic] be a soldier then. fellows that acted as home guards around Vermont will have to step out side to give Room for the Uncle Sams Boys they will play merry h-l when they do come you can bet Mikes best boots on that. I supose [sic] you have seen Hammond before this he was lucky boy in getting of [sic] so well I hope he will enjoy himself as he has suffered enough for the Union give him my respect and tell him to write me as I forgot to ask him have you herd [sic] how John likes it or have you herd [sic] from the next time you write him tell him to write me as I would like to here [sic] from him there is no news here that is or worth be interesting to you all quite along the Potomac I have applied for the position of Regimental Tailor and have the promise to day of it. we are daily expecting our pay the weather is awful. mud to our eyes the weather here is changeable one day snow and freezing the next day rain which renders it awful going Artillery cannott [sic] move at all neither can

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We drill which is a comfort and approved by all the Boys all the duty we have to do is picket and Guard Genl Brooks says he cant [sic] learn the [cornstick?] skill anymore than know now our Regiment is in good health and are feeling [strikethrough] in [/strikethrough] good our Regt is considered The toughest one in the Division and go under the singular cognomen of [underline] Whitings Brusers [/underline] none of the Regts [sic] medles [sic] with us or the Cannon Dragons Our Col is now home on furlough our capt arrived here Friday I do not or canott [sic] think of anything else to write that would be interesting to you so I will close give my love to all and write soon tell Mike if he enlistes [sic] he is shure [sic] of promotion he may be appointed Brig. Gen or some other [sic] Post all are well in the 5th I believe Brandonetts [sic] [—–] now do not be a month before you answer If you do I will do the same let me know how trade is if I can get a job when I get this finished No More Adieu From Wm McKeand Co B 2nd Vermont Brusers Camp Griffin near Lewisville VA Washington D.C. P.S. You need not put on anymore of the above than is necisary [sic] [underline] William McKeand [/underline] [page break]

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Hiram Bailey sends his Respects to Kate